Forts and Castles
8th cent - 19th cent AD

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Forts and Castles

Gwalior Fort
8th - 16th cent

Mighty Gwalior Fort
Photo Panoramio

Gwalior Fort was built starting in the 8th century. Later additions came in two parts: The main fort was built by several Rajput kings, while the Gurjari Mahal (now a Museum) and the palace in the north were constructed by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century for his favourite queen, Mrignayani. See the lengthy article on its history in Wikipedia

The Entrance Gate.
Notice the characteristic tile ornaments installed by the 16th cent Moslem rulers.
Photo Panoramio

Chanderi Fort
10th - 15th cent

Badal Mahal Gate (1450) and the Fort Kirti Durg (11th cent)
Photo chanderi.net

Rock paintings near Chanderi, prehistoric
Photos chanderi.net

Tirupati, Chandragiri Raja Mahal
11th cent - 1367

Photo Panoramio

Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal (King's Palace) within it. Chandragiri was under the rule of Yadavrayas for about three centuries and came into control of Vijayanagar rulers in 1367.
Chandragiri was the 4th capital of Vijayanagar Empire, Rayas shifted their capital to here when Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the Golkonda territory and subsequently came under Mysore rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward.

Photo Panoramio , Text Wikipedia

Jaipur
Palace of the Winds

1156-17th cent

View of town from the western ridge.
Photo Panoramio

In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer). In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for some time it was quite deserted. After this there is nothing to record till the time of Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Bhati history in that he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds.)
Photo palacesandtigers.com

Amber Fort
16th cent

Amber Fort from the valley
Photo Panoramio

Amber was originally built by the Meenas in the town they consecrated to Amba, the Mother Goddess, whom they knew as `Gatta Rani' or `Queen of the Pass'. Built over the remnants of an earlier structure, the palace complex which stands today was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh, Commander in Chief of Akbar’s army and a member of the Emperor's inner circle of nine courtiers, in 1592. The initial structure of the fort was entirely completed by his descendant, Jai Singh I. Amber was modified by successive rulers over the next 150 years, until the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur during the time of Sawai Jai Singh II.

Jaisalmer
12th - 17th cent

The Fort of Jaisalmer.
Photo Panoramio

In 1156 Rawal Jaisal, the sixth in succession from Deoraj, founded the fort and city of Jaisalmer, and made it his capital as he moved from his former capital at Lodhruva (which is situated about 15 km to the south-east of Jaisalmer). In 1294, the Bhatis so enraged the emperor Ala-ud-din Khilji that his army captured and sacked the fort and city of Jaisalmer, so that for some time it was quite deserted. After this there is nothing to record till the time of Rawal Sahal Singh, whose reign marks an epoch in Bhati history in that he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Jodhpur
Meherangarh Fort
15th - 17th cent

Photo dpsahoo.com
Jodhpur's main attraction is the Meherangarh Fort (16th cent)

Jodhpur was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, a Rajput chief of the Rathore clan. Rao Jodha succeeded in conquering the surrounding territory and thus founded a state which came to be known as Marwar.

Bundi, Taragarh Fort
1345 - 17th cent

Bundi Palace and Fort

The Taragarh Fort, or 'Star Fort' is the most impressive of the city's structures. It was constructed in 1354 AD on a steep hillside. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj

Pink sari in the old fort.
Photos Fernando M, travelblog.org

Agra, the Red Fort
1565 - 17th cent

Red Fort in the Jamuna river fog.
Photo Panoramio

The most important fort built during the Mughal era is Agra Fort constructed by Akbar between 1565 and 1573. Akbar erected the walls, gates and the first buildings within the walls. Shahjahan built the imperial quarters and the mosque. A century later, Aurangzeb finished the outer walls of the fort.

Moti Masjid,
Photo Panoramio

Within the fort, Moti Masjid is one large and two smaller mosques. The larger mosque, Moti Masjid made of marble, is the crown of Mughal architecture. It is a tragedy that it has been closed to the public in recent years.

View of the Taj Mahal from the Red Fort
Photo Panoramio

Gohad Fort, Madhya Pradesh
!7th - 19th cent

Photo Panoramio

The history of Gohad is closely related to Gwalior. Its fort served as stronghold for a long number of Jat ranas and rajas. It is now mostly in ruins